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“No matter what the content, the XV-Z30000 offers consumers a compelling entertainment projection solution,” said Jim Sanduski, vice president, strategic product marketing, Sharp Electronics Marketing Company of America, a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation. “With a focus on providing consumers with superior entertainment experiences, this front projector is ideal for the dedicated home theater or viewing room and is a welcome addition to any home entertainment experience.”

Part of the XV-Z30000’s superior picture quality is due to the DLP advantage. All Sharp front projectors incorporate mirror-based components that use light more efficiently by bringing more light from lamp to screen. In addition, with Sharp’s proprietary digital image ICs, the XV-Z30000 reproduces high quality 3D picture with low cross talk and flicker.

The projector’s lens functions also make it a good choice for those looking for a high-quality home theater experience. It features flexible installation with center lens and lens shift; the center lens design allows for easy adjustment; and the wide range horizontal and vertical lens shift function allows for flexible installation. In addition, with the motorized lens shift function, customers can select their preferable setting position. The projector also has control function with Creston, Control 4, AMX, and RS 232C port and LAN control via network.

Adding to the XV-Z30000’s appeal is its ease of use. With the wide range 2x optical zoom, users can select the preferable ceiling mount position in the room. Or, for spontaneous projection, the projector is portable and can be positioned on a table. The resize function (V-stretch) allows users to choose a 2.35:1 wide aspect image (Cinema scope). It also includes a One Touch Play function, which automatically turns on the projector when the user pushes the playback button of the playback equipment. Also, the System Standby function places the playback equipment into standby mode when the projector is turned off.

The XV-Z30000 offers extensive connectivity with two HDMI® inputs. To further enhance the viewing experience, two sets of 3-D glasses are included. The XV-Z30000’s other included accessories are an IR emitter, IR emitter cable, remote control, and two R-6 batteries.

Availability and Pricing
The XV-Z30000 will be available in March 2012 at a Manufacturer’s Suggested List Price (MSLP) of $4,999.99.

Sharp made a mistake exiting the projector world. The XV17000 should have never happened. It was nothing more than a business unit with a few tweaks. At this point though I don't think any DLP projector should be more than $3k unless the name is Runco on the badge. I might be tempted at $3k but $5k, I am going to look at the JVCs at that point.

Sharp made a mistake exiting the projector world. The XV17000 should have never happened. It was nothing more than a business unit with a few tweaks. At this point though I don't think any DLP projector should be more than $3k unless the name is Runco on the badge. I might be tempted at $3k but $5k, I am going to look at the JVCs at that point.

Agreed. And this one still looks oddly business-like...kind of a hybrid of their past great projectors and their latest crappy ones. For $5k, I want some serious tweakability (especially re: the iris and video processing), an awesome lens, and superior 3D.

Agreed. And this one still looks oddly business-like...kind of a hybrid of their past great projectors and their latest crappy ones. For $5k, I want some serious tweakability (especially re: the iris and video processing), an awesome lens, and superior 3D.

This was my thought as well when I looked at the picture. Hopefully it turns out to be a great projector.

Sharp made a mistake exiting the projector world. The XV17000 should have never happened. It was nothing more than a business unit with a few tweaks. At this point though I don't think any DLP projector should be more than $3k unless the name is Runco on the badge. I might be tempted at $3k but $5k, I am going to look at the JVCs at that point.

Last years Sharp 17000 had many faults and cut several quality corners. It is now selling for 40% off, yet no one is even talking about it. This is because other projectors have feature like a glass lens, full CMS and frame interpolation in 3D.
Reviewers commented on the poor value, not very bright and the inaccurate color.

Anyone find it strange that one of the biggest lcd producers doesn't offer an lcd projector?

After reading through the rather poorly worded press release, it looks like it not only offers lens memory, but the horizontal and vertical shift is motorized. That's great news. I'm guessing this projector is going to weigh at least 25 lbs and reminding me of the older Sharp and Benq projectors.

5x color wheel and 2.0x zoom is welcome. Hoping for a glass lens and a DC3 or better. 5k MSRP is a bit steep, but the convenience factors may make it worth it if the image quality is as good or better than competing products.

Anyone find it strange that one of the biggest lcd producers doesn't offer an lcd projector?

After reading through the rather poorly worded press release, it looks like it not only offers lens memory, but the horizontal and vertical shift is motorized. That's great news. I'm guessing this projector is going to weigh at least 25 lbs and reminding me of the older Sharp and Benq projectors.

5x color wheel and 2.0x zoom is welcome. Hoping for a glass lens and a DC3 or better. 5k MSRP is a bit steep, but the convenience factors may make it worth it if the image quality is as good or better than competing products.

So I went back and read the press release for a fourth time and I can't say for sure how much is motorized. It may just be the zoom is motorized and the rest is manual. Or it could be more than that. We're just going to have to wait for more info because the little bit of info available from Sharp is ambiguous at best.

When I was researching my PJ the smaller DC4 was making it's debut. There are some 0.69 DC3's, but most projectors that I came across were 0.69 DC4's or 0.95 DC3's.

Agreed, but anecdotally the smaller chips had shorter throw distances as implemented. Again, based on my research when I was shopping for a projector.

When the 20K was released >4 years ago there were no DC4 or .69" chips, the top end was the .95" DC3. The .95" DC4 came out after and was and is still the top end chip used in the high end lines like SIM2.

A couple years ago TI introduced the cheaper .69" line most of which used the DC3 or DC2 process. That is the chipset that is used in most <$7K 1chip and some < $25K 3chip pjs.

The .95" DC4 is still the top end highest performing 1080p DLP on the market.

Agreed. And this one still looks oddly business-like...kind of a hybrid of their past great projectors and their latest crappy ones. For $5k, I want some serious tweakability (especially re: the iris and video processing), an awesome lens, and superior 3D.

Well, this chassis *IS* definitely a clone of one of Sharp's business projectors which you can find on their website. It looks identical to it.

That being said, just because it has business chassis does not mean business guts. A case is just a case, it does not have to look fancy on the outside to have awesome internals.